Many households across Wales are facing considerable cost of living pressures. Our constituency guide highlights support available from the Welsh and UK governments, help provided by energy suppliers, and signposts to sources of advice.

Funding available from the Welsh and UK governments

Welsh Government support

The Cost of Living Support Scheme provides a payment of £150 to eligible households. It is available to all households that receive support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, and households occupying properties in council tax bands A-D that meet the eligibility criteria for support. The scheme is administered by local authorities, and will run until 30 September 2022.

Winter Fuel Support Scheme

A second round of the Winter Fuel Support Scheme will be available in autumn 2022. This provides a £200 grant to eligible households. The previous scheme was open to households where one member was in receipt of specified benefits, and the Welsh Government has said that it will widen eligibility criteria for the next round.

UK Government support

Energy Bills Support Scheme

The UK Government will be providing a £200 reduction through the Energy Bills Support Scheme for all households with a domestic electricity connection from October 2022. The £200 will be paid back automatically over a five year period. Households will not need to apply for the scheme, and in most cases the UK Government expects that electricity suppliers will apply the reduction automatically to electricity bills from October 2022. There may be some variation in how the £200 reduction is provided, for example for those with a pre-payment meter.